The year is 1900 and the Joseon royal government has just made the decision to levy high taxes all over the country. On Cheju, a poor, rocky volcanic island off the kingdom's southern border, rebellion is growing among the population. Soon after, YI Jea-soo ? a simple messenger at the time of the departure of the County Magistrate of the Dae Jung District, CHAE Gun-su ? is appointed commander-in-chief of the rebel forces. The fortified village of Cheju, a Christian stronghold, soon becomes a major objective in the conflict. The spilled blood, the crisis of the victims and the summary executions mark the beginning of a reign of terror.